This was written by Kristel Porter
Environmental Activism helps bring awareness to issues such as climate change, endangered species, change in electric bills, and ways to make communities safer. People and animals have suffered due to lack of awareness of what is happening to the environment. The air quality in many places has been low, affecting people who have illnesses.
MN Reneawble asks you to “make a solar pledge”: Add your voice to help make solar energy 100% accessible. MN Renewable Now supports a transition to a green economy that includes everyone, helps to close the employment gap, and creates a new story about the community’s role in the energy system.
The 100% clean electricity bill (MN Senate File 4 and House File 7) would commit all utilities to provide their Minnesota customers with 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040, with reporting on benchmarks every five years.
MPCA Grants for Facilities to Cut Emissions and Improve Air Quality: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking proposals for projects that aim to reduce air emissions by upgrading equipment and processes that will reduce air pollution.
Facilities that emit air pollution have an impact on the surrounding communities. Breathing air pollution, even at low levels, affects everyone’s health. Certain priority pollutants have a higher impact on human health and the environment, too. By reducing or eliminating the use and release of priority pollutants and other pollutants of concern, air quality can improve, and more people have access to cleaner air.
Funding available: Approximately $110,000 in funding is available. The maximum grant award is $24,500 per applicant. The grant recipient must match at least 25% of the total project cost.
Eligible applicants include: Businesses under 500 employees; governmental agencies; educational institutions; nonprofit organizations; and tribal entities. Apply now! Deadline is Monday, April 10.
Programs & Projects: Twin Cities Project to Develop Equitable Solar Access: Despite increasing solar adoption across the United States, underserved small businesses—especially BIPOC- and immigrant-owned businesses—have historically lacked equitable access to the information, resources, and culturally-appropriate and accessible financing needed to install and receive the benefits of rooftop solar. The Great Plains Institute is a core partner in a newly announced project to help address these inequities in the Twin Cities.
Solar Program: MN Renewable Now founded and is working with several partners to provide the Solstar Rooftop Solar Project in North Minneapolis. This project is for North Minneapolis property owners to receive solar panels for their property at no cost. By making solar panels more accessible, we will advance energy democracy in North Minneapolis while shifting our energy supply away from dirty fossil fuels.
Our SolStar Program has reopened! Stay updated by reviewing our monthly newsletter and social media. Learn more about our new Solstar Program visit at mnrenwewablenow.